“Rubymar” goes down
First cargo ship sinks after Houthi shelling
March 2, 2024, 1:35 p.m
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Two weeks ago, the Houthi militia seriously damaged a cargo ship in the Red Sea – since then, massive amounts of oil have been leaking, threatening an environmental catastrophe. Now the fertilizer transporter is sinking in stormy seas. It is the first time that a ship has sunk after a Houthi attack.
A ship attacked by the Houthis from Yemen almost two weeks ago has sunk in the Red Sea. The internationally recognized government in Yemen said the “Rubymar,” which was loaded with fertilizers, sank on Friday evening in stormy seas. A local military representative also confirmed that the “Rubymar” had sunk. It is the first time the Houthis have caused a ship to sink since they began attacking ships in the region.
The British-registered cargo ship Rubymar, operated by a Lebanese company, was hit by Houthi missiles on February 18 while passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. As a result, a kilometer-long oil slick formed and the ship was filled with water. The US military warned of an environmental disaster.
Because of the attacks by the Houthis, who are armed by Iran, large shipping companies are increasingly avoiding the shortest sea connection between Asia and Europe – with significant effects on the global economy. Almost daily, the US military carries out strikes to eliminate Houthi targets, including missiles and drones aimed at ships and weapons prepared to be fired.
The Bundeswehr is also deployed with a frigate. The “Hesse” repelled an attack by the Houthis for the first time on Tuesday evening. The ship taking part in the EU military mission “Aspides” shot down two drones one after the other.
The Houthis have said they want to expand attacks on merchant ships off the country’s coast. The group’s leader, Abdel-Malik al-Houthi, said in a televised speech that they are relying on escalation as a response to Israel’s escalation in the Gaza Strip. He also announced the use of underwater weapons.
In addition to the USA, other Western countries such as Great Britain are also involved in operations to repel the attacks. They also carry out counterattacks. According to US statements, the targets include the group’s underground weapons depots as well as missile storage facilities, drones, air defense systems and radar systems. British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps threatened the extremists with further attacks if they did not stop their attacks on merchant ships.
18 countries are involved in the purely defensive EU military operation to protect merchant shipping. In addition to Germany, Belgium, Italy and France, among others, are sending ships to the Red Sea.